CHARLOTTE, N.C. - December 18, 2012 - Baker & Taylor, the world's largest distributor of digital and physical books and entertainment products, today announced a major expansion of its collection management team, which includes increasing its staffing by one-third and opening a new facility in Crystal Lake, Ill.

The expansion reflects the increased demand by libraries for outside expertise in collection development support, such as building opening day collections and receiving ongoing title recommendations and notifications. These additional resources will allow Baker & Taylor to continue to deliver the highest level of collection management services for printed materials, as well as ebooks, audiobooks, music and video. The team will also focus on collection management for ebooks and audiobooks in conjunction with the company's Axis 360 digital media platform.

"By opening a new facility and hiring experienced librarians who understand the nuances of the collection development process, Baker & Taylor is strengthening our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our library customers," said George Coe, President of Library & Education at Baker & Taylor. "The library market is changing. Patrons have higher expectations than ever. Through unparalleled customer service in a wide variety of areas, Baker & Taylor is continuing to develop innovative ways to help libraries give patrons the experience they expect."

The additional librarians in the new Crystal Lake, Ill., facility were formerly employed by Book Wholesalers, Inc. (BWI), an industry leader that Baker & Taylor acquired certain assets of in a deal announced in September. The facility will complement the company's existing collection management department in Bridgewater, N.J.